Highway 104 Section Gets Fresh Coat of Pavement

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Highway 104 Section Gets Fresh Coat of Pavement

Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell has announced that Chapman Brothers Construction Ltd., of Souris, P.E.I., is the successful low bidder on a repaving project in Antigonish County.

Trans-Canada Highway 104, from the Pictou County line to Exit 30 at James River, will be repaved this year. The 5.1-kilometre project is worth about $1.1 million.

"This is another major improvement for highways in northeastern Nova Scotia," said Mr. Russell. "This brings the government's investment in Antigonish County's roads to over $3.5 million for this year."

The work will be finished by the end of October. On average, this section of highway sees about 8,000 vehicles a day.

So far this year, the provincial government alone has spent almost $17 million on the Trans-Canada Highway system in Nova Scotia.

Mr. Russell noted the importance of such an investment.

"An efficient road network will help build a strong economy and benefit communities throughout the province," said the minister.

This year the Department of Transportation and Public Works capital budget for road improvements is $85.5 million, an increase of $32 million over the previous year. It's the third year in a row the capital portion of the roads budget has increased.

The highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains an inventory of 3,800 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Four district offices are located in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.